Your comments and tips

13 Dec 13, Eileen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Many Thanks John.I have been searching fruitlessly (forgive the pun) for a reason or rhyme for my problem - all male flowers. While my cue all female. Overdosing on nitrogen (cow poo) earlier my just be my problem. Now how to tackle it...try no more poo juice just a little potash. Eileen

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24 Oct 10, John Herford (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have the round zuccihni when is the right time to pick them

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25 Oct 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

You can pick at almost any size. Golf-ball size are pretty tasty. Anything over a tennis-ball size might be too big and watery. If you keep picking the plant will keep producing new flowers and fruit until it dies.

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07 Apr 10, Leah (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I had yellow andblack beetles similar size to ladybug eat all my zuchinni leaves. What are they and how do I get rid of them??

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02 May 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Leah, Those yellow & black beetles similar to ladybugs are fungus eating-ladybugs. They don't eat plants, but they do eat the powdery mildew on the zucchini - they're good guys! It must be something else eating your zucchini (maybe microscopic stuff like mites or thrips)

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19 Jan 10, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)

i have just read about blossom end rot, which is the rot some of you have described. this is caused by lack of calcium which can be inproved by adding lime to the soil. I'm wondering if this can be done when the plant is fruiting and if it will help at all on the current crop. i know it can sometimes help with current crop of tomatoes.

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09 Jan 10, jack (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Barb.. thanks for the information. very much appreciated.. when growing in Denman I had no problem,, plenty of bees I suppose,,, but here in Newcastle had no luck with zucchinis or apple cucumbers.. now I know what to do I might get luckier.. thanks again.

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06 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Jack, The female flower has a little baby zucchini attached, while the male flower is just on a stalk and has a single stamen within the flower. I find it's best to use a little paint brush to gather the yellow pollen from the stamen in the male flower and gently deposit onto the stamen in the female flower. Keeping the plant well fertilised with seaweed and fish emulsion will also help the plant stay healthy enough to help the fruit to form properly.

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04 Jan 10, jack (Australia - temperate climate)

also have problem of zucchini rotting from flower end.. i read cross polination is the answer.. which is male and female flowers??? or do i cross polinate all the flowers??

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28 Dec 09, leonie (Australia - temperate climate)

Can I cut off some of the big zucchini leaves to stop them smothering tomatoes etc.? Heaps of zuccs. and growing 10cms. a day.Best ever this year!

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